and it reminded me there was an incident in russia where a gunman went into a schoolhouse and killed children, and the monsignor was so touched by it. that's the way this event has touched the world. i will tell you that this is a strong town, and you can feel the people of this community pulling together to support the survivors, and thinking about how they can rebuild the town and its spirit. one woman said so poignantly the other night at the interfaith sergeant, we will not allow this devent to define newtown, connecticut, and they will not -- the families of those who lost loved ones have been changed forever. and in that regard i particularly want to thank my colleagues for this resolution of condolence and support. i want to thank my league, senator reid, for the moment of silence yesterday in this chamber. in my faith's tradition, when you visit the house of mourning, one of the customs is for the visitor to sit silently with the mourners, and it's very awkward. it's actually not the natural thing we want to do. but this tradition has come about because, one, as an act of res